2011 Special Olympics

Special Olympics Annual Report 2011 Special Olympics Annual Report 2011
WINNING
THE WORLD
Reporting for ESPN, John Dorsey wrote, “Bathed in sweat under
the pounding Athens sun, he displayed a grit and determination
unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen athletes ‘dig deep’
before, but never as deep as this.” Ederson’s sheer will and
PHOTOS: (Top left) Ederson Idrogo of Peru celebrates after
finishing his race. (Top right) Sam Donaldson of New Zealand is
awarded the first gold medal of the 2011 Special Olympics World
Summer Games, with a time of 12:36:81 in the 800m freestyle.
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Every day around the world, our athletes train and
strive to achieve their very best. During the 2011
Special Olympics World Summer Games, more than
6,000 athletes from 170 countries gathered at the
Sport in its Purest Form
most important site in the history of Olympic sport—
Veteran sports reporter John Dorsey thought he had seen all the determination brought everyone in the stadium to their feet,
Athens, Greece. At the Opening Ceremony, Tim
great modern sports figures in action. But when he saw Ederson their hands clapping together in rhythm—growing louder with
Shriver proclaimed “Ime Mesa! Are you all in?” The
answer was a resounding yes. During a week of
Idrogo at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, he had one
more to add to his list. Ederson, a 23-year-old from Peru, participated
in the men’s 100-meter walk. As the other competitors finished
each step. When he made it to the finish line, he collapsed into a
waiting chair, caught his breath and flashed a beaming smile.
grueling yet inspiring international competition,
the race, he remained near the start struggling to put one foot in
spectators, including world leaders, celebrities and
dignitaries, watched as athletes pushed limits and
transformed into champions. They were all in.
front of the other.
PHOTO: (Right) The Summer Games significantly increased awareness of the Special
Olympics movement through more than 15,000 Games-related news articles
published all around the world and more than 20 million posts on social media.
It was a moment neither of these two men will ever forget. Later,
the reporter noted that if “greatness” can be seen as overcoming
obstacles with determination and heart, then there was a whole lot of
greatness at the World Summer Games. In fact, he called the Special
Olympics competitions nothing less than sport “in its purest form.”
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